AllowedThe court's forms page carries a notice to creditors, a creditor's claim, a notice to set and a request for submission, and links the Supreme Court's standardized self-help forms; the court approves both sets for use. Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans runs a free Lawyer in the Lobby session twice a month, by appointment at 775-883-8278.
Hearing schedule
Uncontested probate is heard at 8:30 a.m. on law and motion days: Department 1 on Mondays and Department 2 on Tuesdays, moving to the next open day after a state holiday.
County forms
Notice to CreditorsThe notice published and mailed to the estate's creditors
The First Judicial District Court and its clerk's office are on the third floor of the Carson City Courthouse; the Justice and Municipal Courts are on the second floor.
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Carson City, probate runs through the First Judicial District Court at 885 East Musser Street, Suite 3031, Carson City. The court sits in the 1st Judicial District. Carson City shares the 1st Judicial District with Storey.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Nevada intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Nevada estates take 6 months to 9 months to move through this process. Creditors have 3 monthsNRS 147.040, NRS 147.070, NRS 147.130, NRS 147.195, NRS 155.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Carson City
What probate costs in Carson City, Nevada comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the First Judicial District Court at 885 East Musser Street, Suite 3031, Carson City. The court is part of the 1st Judicial District.
The First Judicial District Court charges $0 - $426 (based on estate value)NRS 19.013(1), NRS 19.020(2), NRS 19.0302(1)(c)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Nevada are negotiated, typically 1%NRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; on the value of the estate, 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M; hourly billing also permitted)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 4%NRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; on the value of the estate, 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M; hourly billing also permitted)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Nevada sets executor compensation by statute — about $11,150 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.2%NRS 150.020 (statutory percentage: 4% on first $15K, 3% next $85K, 2% above $100K); NRS 150.020(4) (further fees the court deems just and reasonable); NRS 150.030 (extraordinary services)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Nevada requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
Probate in Nevada typically runs 6 months to 9 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the First Judicial District Court
Probate cases in Carson City are filed at the First Judicial District Court. File in person during business hours or by mail. The court sits in the 1st Judicial District.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Nevada has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableNRS 143.340; NRS 155.020 (appointment is by court petition and hearing — no registrar/informal track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Opposition within 14 days of service
An opposition to a motion is filed within 14 days after the motion is served, and a party who files none is treated as consenting. A reply is filed within 7 calendar days after the opposition is served.
Papers are on 8.5 by 11 inch paper with typed text double-spaced. A self-represented filer may hand-write papers in legible blue ink and signs in blue ink. A paper filed in several cases needs a separate original for each case number.
Filed with the opening petition at the First Judicial District Court: Copy of the death certificate, attached to the initial petition as an exhibit with the decedent's Social Security number redacted (an uncertified copy suffices; Washoe accepts "some other evidence of death"); Original will and any codicils, delivered to the clerk of the district court within 30 days after knowledge of the death (NRS 136.050(1)-(2))NRS ch. 136 (probate of wills & petitions for letters); NRS 136.090 (petition contents); NRS ch. 138-139 (appointment & priority); NRS ch. 141 (letters)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Coroner in Carson City
In Carson City certified copies of the death certificate come from Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health - Office of Vital Records; the Local Health Department files the certificate and issues no copies to the public.
Vital Records Office Record
Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health - Office of Vital Records
From Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health - Office of Vital Records; the Local Health Department files the certificate and issues no copies to the public
Mail
Office of Vital Records
4150 Technology Way
Suite 104
Carson City, NV 89706
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.
Deeds and other real property documents for Carson City are recorded with the County Recorder at 885 East Musser Street, Suite 1028, Carson City, NV 89701. Phone: 1-775-887-2260. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $43 flat, regardless of page count.
Carson City accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Nevada allows independent administrationNRS 143.300Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so the personal representative manages, pays and distributes the estate without returning to the court for approval at each step. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Nevada uses a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for probate attorneys — the percentages are a starting point that can be negotiated, especially for simple estates. Carson City firms typically follow the schedule for routine work and negotiate on complex matters.
A probate attorney files the petition with the First Judicial District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Carson City general-practice firm founded in 1968, serving Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties before the First Judicial District Court. Twelve attorneys handle wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, probate administration, and guardianships, with three focused specifically on probate. More than 50 years of continuous Nevada practice.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipBusiness LawReal Estate Law
Estate planning firm serving the Lake Tahoe Basin and Northern Nevada with offices in Carson City, Lake Tahoe, and Gardnerville. Founder Justin Sinner is licensed in both Nevada and California, focusing on revocable living trusts, wills, probate, trust administration, and guardianships.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 3 more
Carson City firm providing estate planning and business law services since 2011. Steven Handelin brings a direct, thoughtful approach to estate planning for clients across Carson City, Reno, Lake Tahoe, and surrounding communities. Licensed in both Nevada and California.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionBusiness Formationand 2 more
Reno sole practice devoted exclusively to the trusts and estates field for over 36 years. J. Douglas Clark is the founding president of the Probate Bar Association of Washoe County and past president of the Estate Planning Council of Northern Nevada.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrust LitigationAlternative Dispute Resolutionand 2 more
Estate planning and personal injury firm in Minden serving Douglas County, Carson City, and the Carson Valley. Gene Kaufmann brings 25+ years of experience with particular expertise in will contests and undue influence claims. Licensed in Nevada, California, and Indiana.
Located in the historic old-town section of Minden, the firm represents clients in Douglas County and surrounding areas. Karen Winters brings more than 35 years of legal experience in both public and private sectors, with a focus on estate planning and elder law.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningBusiness Law
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from Nevada statutes and official state code. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Nevada
Free tools for settling an estate in Nevada: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Nevada.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Nevada: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysNRS 144.010, NRS 144.090Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsNRS 147.040, NRS 147.070, NRS 147.130, NRS 147.195, NRS 155.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Nevada happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteNRS Chapter 163, 164, 165Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Nevada has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableNRS 143.340; NRS 155.020 (appointment is by court petition and hearing — no registrar/informal track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Enter the estate value to see Nevada attorney fees, executor fees, court costs and the timeline.
Examples:
General information about probate costs, not legal or financial advice. Fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value or net property after debts. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
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See whether you can file probate yourself
Enter the estate value to see whether Nevada lets a self-represented person open probate, what the court requires, and what each route costs.
General information about filing probate without a lawyer, not legal advice. Both routes are priced by the probate cost estimator on the same estate; the attorney fee is the one line that differs. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
